Director of Laboratory

The ideal candidate holds an active California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license, brings at least five years of relevant experience and previous supervisory experience, and demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and operational management skills. This leadership position oversees laboratory operations, staff performance, quality management, regulatory compliance, and departmental budgeting to support high-quality patient care.

Laboratory Supervisor

Location: Joshua Tree, CA
Salary: $117,000–$170,000 annually
Schedule: Day shift with 24/7 availability for call
Facility Operations: 24 hours a day
Additional Incentives: Generous sign-on bonus and relocation assistance available

Position Overview

Wheeler Staffing Partners is seeking an experienced Laboratory Supervisor for an opportunity in Joshua Tree, California. This leadership position oversees laboratory operations, staff performance, quality management, regulatory compliance, and departmental budgeting to support high-quality patient care.

The ideal candidate holds an active California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license, brings at least five years of relevant experience and previous supervisory experience, and demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and operational management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily laboratory operations to support accurate, timely, and high-quality services.
• Select, train, orient, assign, and supervise laboratory staff.
• Establish performance expectations, evaluate employee performance, and recommend or initiate appropriate personnel actions.
• Develop departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare and recommend the departmental operating budget and manage resources in alignment with established financial goals.
• Adjust staffing patterns based on daily patient census, workload requirements, and budgeted College of American Pathologists (CAP) workload units.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of departmental records and reports.
• Communicate departmental updates, policy changes, and operational information clearly and promptly, including posting interdepartmental communications within 24 hours of receipt.
• Complete new employee orientation checklists within 48 hours of hire.
• Maintain employee profiles, verify required certification renewals, and update task inventories and competency records.
• Provide ongoing performance coaching and submit annual performance summaries at least two weeks before employee review dates.
• Provide or arrange 24-hour coverage for departmental supervision.
• Ensure laboratory operations meet or exceed applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Lead continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiatives to improve departmental processes, service quality, and operational performance.
• Gather feedback from internal and external stakeholders to identify improvement opportunities.
• Use a CQI approach to address departmental and interdepartmental concerns.
• Establish and maintain productivity standards that support effective patient services.
• Support age-appropriate care and services for neonatal, infant, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, as applicable.
• Participate in hospital and medical staff committee meetings as required.
• Serve as a professional role model and promote teamwork, accountability, and patient-centered service.
• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing education, workshops, seminars, and professional affiliations.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Active California licensure as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).
• At least five years of relevant laboratory experience.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Ability to work a day shift and maintain 24/7 availability for call.
• Strong leadership, staff development, and performance management skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, quality management, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to manage staffing, departmental budgets, and competing operational priorities.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.

Compensation and Incentives

• Annual salary of $117,000–$170,000.
• Generous sign-on bonus available.
• Relocation assistance available.

Why Work With Wheeler Staffing Partners

Wheeler Staffing Partners connects healthcare professionals with opportunities that support professional growth, meaningful work, and long-term career potential. Our recruiting team provides personalized guidance throughout the hiring process to help candidates find positions aligned with their experience and career goals.

Qualified laboratory leaders with an active California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license are encouraged to apply.